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Celebrating 35 years of marriage at a general audience with Pope Francis

Barely able to speak, with tears in her eyes, Maria Andrea said the secret to maintaining a good marriage is actually quite simple.
MARIA ANDREA ARBURU
"It is to dedicate yourself to each other.â?
Maria Andrea certainly knows what she's talking about. She and her husband Bernardo just celebrated 35 years of marriage. This year, they didn't plan a typical anniversary. The two just wanted to be close to Pope Francis during his general audience.
BERNARDO JORGE BARATCHART
"In a way, it was planned. We said, on April 1st, we have to be with Pope Francis, even if it was just for a minute.â?
Years ago, Bernardo and Maria Andrea met Pope Francis at Saint Bernard's, a parish in Buenos Aires. The two fondly recalled when they were first introduced to the man who would eventually become Pope.
MARIA ANDREA ARBURU
"We greeted him and they introduced us. My cousin is a sacristan at that parish. It was August 20th, Saint Bernard's Feast Day. He came to attend the special Mass as a bishop.â?
The two said that their 35 years together have been the best of their lives. They added that in a time when the family and marriage are threatened, they try to be a positive example. They say the secret is to wait for each other every day.
BERNARDO JORGE BARATCHART
"What I can say. We go our separate ways in the morning and wait for night because that is when we see each other again. Everything else comes by itself.â?
The two now return to Buenos Aires with the memory of their minute with Pope Francis, and the desire to spend another 35 years together.
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